Organizing Your Storage Unit
Place all smaller items in uniformly sized boxes. Completely fill
each box with heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on the
top. Uniformly sized boxes stack easier and conserve storage space.
Store smaller, more valuable items to the rear of the unit and large
items toward the front.
Wooden furniture should be covered with blankets to avoid abrasion damage. Use a high quality disc (round) padlock to secure your storage unit. This type of lock is difficult to cut or break and offers maximum protection for very little money. Leave a small airspace between your stored items and the wall of the storage unit for ventilation. Store items that will not be needed to the rear of the storage unit & items you will need access to toward the front.
Preparing Items for Storage
Books: Pack books flat, not standing on end. This will protect the spines which will bend and warp over time if stood upright. Books are very heavy, so pack them in small boxes and don't put them in boxes with other, more fragile, items.
Lawn Mowers: Drain gasoline and oil
from all small engines. This precaution will protect both your
stored property and the property of others from the dangers of fire
and explosion.
Mattresses: Place mattresses in plastic covers to protect them
from dust and dirt.
Blankets, Draperies and Clothing:
Have blankets, draperies and clothing cleaned, then pack them on
hangers in wardrobe boxes.
Leather Items: Treat leather items (couches , clothes, etc.) with a leather conditioner prior to storing them. Properly stored items will hold up much better in storage.
Furniture and Tables: Place blankets over
furniture to protect from scratches and dust.
Pillows and Toys: Store smaller items like
this in large plastic garbage bags or large box.
Photos: Photographs tend to curl over time. To keep them flat, place between pieces of cardboard and tape them together. Do not store irreplaceable photos.
Breakable Items: Wrap breakable items
inside bubble wrap and store with linens.
Dishes and Glassware: Store these items in specially made boxes.
Appliances: Clean and dry all appliances prior to storage. Do
not leave anything inside of appliances to be stored. Store all
appliances upright with doors ajar to allow ventilation.
Label boxed items: You'll know what is in
each box without opening it.
Do not store these items:
Furs, jewelry & other expensive items, irreplaceable items, any
living thing, used tires, firearms, explosives, flammables of any
kind (gas, diesel, oil, paint, etc.),drugs or drug paraphernalia,
stolen items, any type of hazardous items, perishable items of any
kind, hazardous waste materials of any kind, items that produce
odors or any item that will in any way make other tenants or the
management unhappy.
Properly stored items will hold up much better in storage than items
not stored properly.
